Wood-pressed oils, also referred to as cold-pressed oils, have entered the global markets as the most preferred choice in the current contemporary world. Cold-pressed oils are recognized to contain healthy elements and nutrients, which in refined oils would be lost. The slow process of making wood-pressed oil is one that requires much time but ultimately produces quality oils. In this blog, we will explore the traditional Methods of making pure wood-pressed oils and their significance.
What Are Wood-Pressed Oils?
Wood-pressed oils are also extracted using wooden presses by pressing oilseeds. This is the oldest method of extraction that requires no heat or chemicals in the extraction process. The slow process of pressing oilseeds ensures that the natural flavour, aroma, and nutrients of the oil are retained. Though less healthy, these oils are indeed healthier than refined oils in that they do not contain colouring.
The Wood-Pressing Process
The wood-pressing method, which is the traditional one, involves very few steps. All of these are carefully performed for the preservation of natural oil qualities. Let’s look a bit more closely at how pure wood-pressed oils are prepared.
Step 1: Selecting the Seeds
The quality selection of seeds is the first step. Most demand for cold-pressed groundnut oil, cold-pressed sesame oil, and cold-pressed sunflower oil is produced from groundnut, sesame, and sunflower. Therefore, the seeds selected from the farms are those that are fresh, free of pesticide application, and those that will provide high-quality oil. In this way, the extracted oil will be pure and healthy.
Step 2: Cleaning the Seeds
The seeds are then cleaned after selection. There is removal of dirt, dust, and impurities. This process is very important because any contaminants may affect the quality of oil. Clean seeds will deliver clean oil without toxins or harmful elements.
Step 3: Sun-Drying the Seeds
After cleaning, the seeds have been sun-dried. Natural sunlight aids in the removal of excess moisture from the seeds. Another reason why this is important is that moisture can spoil the oil, and through the process of drying, flavour and aroma are enhanced in the seeds.
Step 4: Grinding the Seeds
Once they get dry, seeds are grinded into a simple paste. The crushing is done slowly using a wooden mortar and pestle. This crushing process is slow enough not to generate heat. If the seeds were crushed at a high rate, they would burn and make the oil less nutritional. The slow grinding retains the natural properties of the seeds.
Step 5: Pressing the Oil
Pour the ground paste into a wooden press. Either manually or bulls, press it. Pressure in the wooden press extracted oil from the seeds. This is the heart of the traditional method of wood pressing. Slowly, drop by drop, the oil drips down. Moreover, the process allows retaining the nutrients and the natural taste of the oil.
Step 6: Filtering the Oil
After pressing, the oil is filtered for seed particles. Filtering is simple and natural; no chemicals or artificial filters are used. And that way, there is the use of pure, unrefined oil. However, the oil also keeps its natural golden colour and rich aroma.
Benefits of Using Wood-Pressed Oils
Wood-pressed oils are high in essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. They do not also contain harmful chemicals and preservatives, which add to their benefit for health. Here are a few reasons why you should choose wood-pressed oils:
- Retains Nutrients
Wood-pressed oils retain all their natural nutrients. Since the slow process involves no heat or chemical application, all the vitamins and antioxidants are preserved. Therefore, cold-pressed oils are more nutritious than refined oils.
- No Heat or Chemicals
Heat and chemicals are not even applied in the traditional method. This makes the oil unmixed and pure for consumption. Cold-pressed oils are also devoid of toxins, which can easily be found in refined oils.
- Rich in Flavor
Wood-pressed oils have their distinct flavour and smell. The seeds are retained with their natural taste because it is pressed traditionally. Whether you choose cold-pressed groundnut oil, cold-pressed sesame oil, or cold-pressed sunflower oil, the taste will be rich and original.
- Good for Cooking
These oils are best to be used for cooking, especially at low temperatures. They are ideal for sautéing, stir-frying, and dressing salads. Additionally, they add special flavours to any dish without losing the healthy elements.
Why Choose Traditional Wood-Pressed Oils?
Most oils are prepared today in industrial machines and chemicals. This is not the case for wood-pressed oils. Here are some reasons why you should consider switching to wood-pressed oils:
- Eco-Friendly Process
The method of wood-pressing is eco-friendly. It uses little energy and does not produce any pollution. Furthermore, it promotes sustainable farming and natural methods of oil extraction.
- Promotes Health
The use of refined oils leads to health issues because of the chemicals that are used to produce them. But wood-pressed oils are pure and chemical-free. So they are healthier for your heart, your skin, and your general well-being.
- Promotes Local Farmers
For example, wood-pressed oil promotes local cultivation and sustains their livelihood by encouraging organic cultivation.
Conclusion
For example, wood-pressed oils are healthier, tastier, and more sustainable. Traditional production of pure oil retains all its natural benefits. Furthermore, whether it’s cold-pressed groundnut oil, cold-pressed sesame oil, or cold-pressed sunflower oil, these oils will brew full flavour and nutrition into your meals. Not to mention, they offer you a better choice of synthetic oils frequently filled with chemicals. However, choosing wood-pressed oil is a sensible and healthy decision for you and your family.
